Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Former Wailers keyboardist, Tyrone Downie, says it is "kinda sad" that Bob Marley's legendary band is still touring to make ends meet.

Downie, who lives in Paris, France, was in Kingston last week producing Remember, the latest album by Senegalese superstar, Youssou N'Dour.

During an interview with The Sunday Gleaner at Marley's Tuff Gong studio, Downie spoke about the two versions of the Wailers currently on the road.

Justice denied

"I don't think we have ever been given justice as far as the distribution of wealth (from Marley album sales) is concerned, so it's kinda sad that they still have to be out there doing that to feed their families," Downie said.

Both 'Wailers' bands include musicians who were critical to the Marley sound. The Legendary Wailers is led by Aston 'Familyman' Barrett, Marley's former musical director, while the Original Wailers is driven by Al Anderson and Junior Murvin, the guitarists whose rock licks brought a crossover element to Marley's one-drop beat.

Barrett, now 62, took over leadership of the Wailers following Marley's death in May 1981. The band has recorded two studio albums since, but touring, especially in North America and Europe, has beenits mainstay.

The Legendary Wailers were one of the best touring reggae acts in 2008. They enjoyed a studio revival by making the American country charts with country star Kenny Chesney on whose song, Everybody Wants To Be in Heaven, they appear. The Original Wailers also did well on the festival circuit.

"There are kids out there who see the Wailers and say it's Bob Marley's group, they don't care which one of them is on tour. The name is a mark," Downie said.

Unpaid royalties

Barrett has had his share of problems with the Marleys. In 2006, he lost a £60-million lawsuit against the Bob Marley Estate for unpaid royalties, in London's High Court.

Downie, who attended Kingston College, joined the Wailers in the early 1970s and made his studio debut on Marley's 'Rastaman Vibration' tour in 1976.